P&J's Diary published weekly since 2001
Read a varied version of this Diary Here
Newsy Portion of Issue 45________________________________________
Hi All: It feels so great to be back in familiar territory. We have been to the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas for part of a winter about 15 of our 22 years on the move. We have not settled into our favourite western portion since 1999 when we spent a winter in Pharr. Well this year we are in Alamo and we’re loving it. Our first visit in 1986, the Valley was so laid back and quiet but we spent a month over Christmas visiting places from Brownsville to McAllen before we ventured into Mexico for several months. This was long before their major very progressive complex interstates evolved and all the major box stores moved in.
I think there must be a dozen Wal*Mart Supercenters in this central area. It is all here. We are finding the entire area manicured, neat and clean but it has still not lost its quaint almost Mexican flavour. High-end, full facility RV parks are abundant – it is obvious RVers are welcome. There is much more traffic than in the past and it is still in the quiet part of the season. Come February it may be overwhelming. However November weather is so perfect in the 80’s but dry so we only need our A/C for about 2 hours in the afternoon. Yes we know this area can get cold around Christmas and into Jan but it is perfect now. In a word it feels so good to be back.
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OUR WEEK IN REVIEW – AND MAINTENANCE UPDATE
SUNDAY was a catch-up computer ‘stuff’ and clean-up the ‘job-jar’ day. But MONDAY we were off running to McAllen. The park we were at for a week was about 20 miles from town so we stored up all errands for a long full day jaunt –TUESDAY we again settled into the park to unwind.
WEDNESDAY we left the huge and very empty Coast-to-Coast Park at LAZY PALMS RANCH near Edinburg, Texas. (see details last post) Our first stop was at Camping World in Mission. We had hoped that they would inspect our propane tank to verify it was OK but that was not in their realm of service. However during our repair at Cummins Mid-South, 24 October, the tech had forgotten to replace our Battery Disconnect he removed during the coolant hose repair. Without it our engine batteries will go dead over a long no-driving period, like we’ll be doing this winter. Camping World installed a new Disconnect. Good news, after a previous short phone call to Cummins Mid-South, Sikeston MO (N of Dallas) 573-472-0303 they compensated us for this complete service call. Those in need of service for their Cummins engine in this area - highlight this compassionate company – they are a dream to deal with. Our original emergency service call invoice was extremely low and now without Q they followed up by paying the complete Battery Disconnect install. Thanks guys for caring.
After we left Camping World we checked into CASA DEL VALLE RV RESORT 1-956-783-5008 until 7 December (using a $149.00 coupon). What an impressive park – it offers every conceivable amenity but we have been so busy we are only partaking in a few activities. Because we wanted to look around for a park that appealed specifically to us this winter we didn’t advance book at any place. Since this park has no space left from Jan to March, we thought this might be a sign of how busy the Valley has become. Thankfully over the next few days we discovered that many parks are still NOT full for the winter. If your plans are not set you can probably still winter into the Rio Grande.
Our site at Casa del Valle is a double wide paved empty mobile home site and it is so good for Katie. Grass in Texas at this time of year is loaded with tiny ‘stickers or burrs’ so it is very difficult for pets to walk in it. Soooo Katie uses our patio to potty and we simply hose it off each day. Works better than hearing her cry when we have to remove stickers each time she goes out. All roads are paved so pet walks isn’t a problem.
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OUR NEW HDTV
WEDNESDAY we also went shopping for a new HDTV. Not by choice but as a necessity, simply because ours gave up the ghost. Watching TV through a maze of lines made TV programs impossible to see. The learning curve of understanding HDTV for our non-technical minds was a major challenge. Plus we planned to update for a larger model but it was not possible without major modifications to the cabinets in our MH. So we found a new 19” Polaroid model from Wal*Mart fits the frame perfectly. When it wouldn’t work after install, a phone call to tech support walked us through the steps.
Removing the old TV was a major challenge. This coach could have disintegrated into a maze of 1” pieces and the TV would still have been in the frame. It took both of us about 4 hours to remove the six 2” bolts and associated hardware before it would come out. By staying in the same size level the new one sits in the frame and by adding eye hooks into the mounting plate holes, we can bungie the HDTV to the previous mega frame. Some heavy-duty plastic straps should easily keep the stand in place. Picture is good but should be better when we get a HD Exp Vu Receiver next April. As Cdns know it is not possible to obtain Express Vu service on this side of the border.
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WE FOUND A WINTER HOME- YEA
On FRIDAY we began a search for a Winter Home. ALAMO PALMS (956-787-7571/800-780-7571) was high on our list but after discovering Casa del Valle was full, we feared all parks just might be booked Jan - Mar. Thankfully that was not the case. Work campers Peggy and Gordon gave us a guided golf cart tour throughout the park and their amenities. We were able to pick out a site with shady afternoons – ours even has two large cactus plants facing our door way plus a long patio that makes it better for Katie. This park features pool (billiard) activity big time and each week they play at other Valley parks in a tournament. John thrives on playing pool, plus he is good at it. It’s been several years since he has been able to be in such a league. Of course like all parks this one offers numerous activities within two large Club Houses.
There is plenty that appeals to me, when I do take a computer break that is. Sites are smaller than some parks and the swimming pool is as well but every other aspect is 5+star. It even offers Free cable and Free WiFi - depending on the level of service I may put my Internet Dish on vacation. I love the security of my own system so we will see how it comes out. We can also book one month at a time – unless someone wants our specific site, we will not have to pay up front for the winter.
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FINAL THOUGHTS
As I already relayed, it feels real sooooo great to be here. Travel safe everyone and to those staying north for the winter we sure hope it is a gentle one. Till next week P&J
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